PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) — There’s a lot of red tape and approvals that have to happen when an insurance company buys a hospital system – most importantly, what will happen to healthcare competition in the area?

Highmark cleared a big hurdle in its bid to buy West Penn Allegheny Health System, but there’s still lots of legal wrangling and approvals that have to happen before they officially become one unit. On top of that, there are still lingering issues with UPMC and Highmark, as well as Highmark’s former CEO.

KDKA AM’s Larry Richert and John Shumway talk to Michael Consedine, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance, which will be the next big approval Highmark will need before the merger will continue, and he talks about the process, as well as what it means to you and your healthcare.

Since September of 2001 Richert has hosted the KDKA Radio Morning News part of CBS Pittsburgh. Larry Richert has been a constant in Pittsburgh radio and television since the early ‘80s. He has long been an ambassador for the city of Pittsburgh...